[UPDATE 7/1/2011: Wrapping up the petition drive early…. Thank you! If you haven’t yet signed the petition, send a message to cleanairfairbanks@gmail.com or find a sponsor with the petition at the July 4 parade in Ester or the Pioneer Park celebration. Enjoy the fireworks!]
Yesterday afternoon, May 2, 2011, the Fairbanks North Star Borough certified a new citizen’s initiative to address the severe fine particulate pollution in our community.
The Healthy Air Protection Act seeks to lower levels of fine particulate pollution and enlists voters to meet that goal.
Read the full citizen’s initiative: Healthy Air Protection Act for Our Property Rights and Local Economy. [29KB] The “summary of ordinance” is the language to go on the ballot. Or request a copy from the Borough Clerk as it is public record.
Several of the provisions apply only within the nonattainment area, review this previous post which includes a link to the FNSB PM 2.5 nonattainment map.
By May 16, or perhaps sooner, additional sponsors may sign up with the Borough Clerk. Only sponsors can collect signatures. Signatures from 2,457 registered FNSB voters are required to qualify for the Oct. 4, 2011 municipal ballot.
On April 18, 2011, 18 original sponsors applied for Borough certification of the Healthy Air Protection Act. Read the certification memo from Borough Clerk Mona Drexler: Acceptance Letter to Petition Sponsors. [476KB]
View a summary of KTVF Channel 11’s story on the Healthy Air citizen’s initiative, May 3, 2011. KUAC FM 89.9 ran a story during the morning newscast May 4, 2011, from 02:35 to 04:50. Or watch KFXF Channel 13’s May 4, 2011 nightly news broadcast, from 04:48 to 05:51 for their story on the certification of the Healthy Air Protection Act citizen’s initiative.
I want to be able to continue burning wood cleanly as I have done for 30 years. The only way I will be able to keep burning cleanly is if the dirty burners are stopped.
Stan
[…] Make no mistake about it, common sense tells us we’re living in smoke epidemic. You can do something about it: sign the petition and vote for it Oct. 4, 2011. Review previous post: Citizen’s Initiative for Healthy Air Certified by Boro Clerk. […]